VIKINGS BLOOD
Eight years ago Anthony Seibold was coaching South Wales Scorpions in the third tier of the professional game. Now the former London Broncos and Hull KR player is in charge of Russell Crowe’s glamour club South Sydney, with his Rabbitohs team currently sitting joint-top of the NRL. The 43-year-old – who has also worked as teacher and university lecturer – has spent the last five years working under the leading coaches in Australia.
When former Wigan boss Michael Maguire left Souths at the end of last year, Seibold was chosen to step up from his role as assistant.
His team, which includes Sam Burgess and his twin brothers George and Sam, have now won 10 of their last 11 matches.
It’s a world away from the Scorpions, who were playing in front of a few hundred people in Neath when Seibold took on his WIDNES VIKINGS will hand debuts to new signings Liam Finn and Harrison Hansen, as they prepare for their upcoming Qualifiers struggles.
Coach Francis Cummins (right) also signed Kiwi forward Charlie Gubb, but not in time for this final regular season game. first head-coaching role. He told Mirror Sport: “The club had no resources and we had to beg, steal or borrow, but they were good, down-to-earth people.
“We had a team of Welsh players plus a couple of Aussies with Welsh heritage, we made the play-offs, and I won Coach Of The Year.
“It was a different experience, very humbling, and I learned so many things because it was the first opportunity to coach my own team.”
Prior to the Scorpions, Seibold Castleford will feature new man, Samoa star Peter Mata’utia.
Mike Mcmeeken, Calum Turner and Jacques O’neill are also in. Matt Cook, Grant Millington, Jake Webster and Lewis Peachey make way. had a mixed time with the Celtic Crusaders club that later became just Crusaders in Super League.
Two positive seasons as player and assistant coach to John Dixon in the lower leagues was soured by a turbulent final year under a different regime in the top flight.
“There was a lot of things that went on that I didn’t agree with,” Seibold revealed.
“There I learned a lot about treating people and what not to do.”
Level
Seibold’s playing career in England saw him line up alongside Martin Offiah and Shaun Edwards for the London Broncos side of the late 1990s, before captaining Hull Kingston Rovers. But it is in coaching where he has now reached the top level of the sport in the club game with Souths. Seibold said: “Over here the Rabbitohs are an iconic sport brand, not just in rugby league but right across Australia. I’m loving my time here.”
Widnes v Castleford